Hello Zoya Professional Nail Lacquer Fans... Here's a great review of the Zoya Uptown, Downtown and Utopia collections from Livia Mercer of The Beauty Review (Australia and New Zealands #1 online Beauty and cosmetic review magazine). It's a few months old - but we just found it - Thanks Livia! See it on YOUTUBE now! (also on: SCLIPO)
Sometimes things just sort of “come” to me while I’m in the middle of a plan, which is what happened this week with my nails. I was planning to paint a harlequin design on my nails, but messed up a center diamond, and decided to paint over the whole thing with a wide strip. The plan then became to place smaller sliver stripes on each side of the contrasting center strip. Then I realized I may as well just make a small diamond pattern down the middle…and voila, laced up nails. They aren’t well-centered, as you can see, and not perfect, but kinda fun and funky. I think they’d look great with a nice burgundy corset…
What I used:
1 coat Zoya Anchor 2 coats OPI Designer Series “Couture” (pink) 1 coat/wide strips OPI “Wine Me, Dine Me” (burgundy) Silver Stripe Rite for laces 2 coats Zoya Armor
I did the base colors first, with wide stripes down the middle in contrast. Then the “X’s” for laces were added, and finally the lines on the side to join everything together. This would be a snap with a nail art pen…a bit more difficult with the stripe rite brush, as it tends to get thick the longer you work with it.
Many of you have expressed a desire for us to incorporate more how to's into this Zoya blog - this is a great idea. We hope you find the following information helpful.
1. Clean and prep nails prior to polishing with ZOYA REMOVE+:ZOYA REMOVE + is a breakthrough 3-in-1 product that does it all (removes old polish, cleans nails and preps for new color). Mild acetone formula moisturizes, nourishes and fortifies nail plate. Use as a nail plate prep cleaner before applying basecoat to significantly increase lacquer wear.
TIPS: Even if nails are polish free, wipe each nail with REMOVE+ prior to polishing to remove any lingering surface oils or moisture. Nails should be filed and buffed prior to applying basecoat to avoid chipping, peeling or separation. Always file up from beneath the tip to seal the free edge of the nail. Always file in one direction - never back and forth (back and forth filing can cause the nail layers to separate and will result in peeling).
Natural nails are porous will retain moisture. Whenever possible avoid soaking prior to polishing to prevent bubbles. Zoya suggests a waterless manicure for extended wear results. Always dry hands and nails completely before polishing.
Avoid polishing in extremely hot or cold conditions. Temperature will alter nail polish product consistancy. Never shake polish bottles, roll gently between palms to mix product completely before use.
Nail polish products have a shelf life of 24 months after opening. Discard old product to avoid application problems. Always buy from a reputable dealer to ensure product freshness and quality. Do not use thickened product.
2. Apply one coat of ZOYA ANCHOR BASECOAT:ZOYA ANCHOR BASECOAT features complex protein chains that form a flexible bond between the nail plate and polish. Deluxe formula promotes nail strength while preventing lifting, peeling and chipping.
TIP: Extend basecoat over the nails free edge to provide extended color wear.
3. Apply two coats of ZOYA PROFESSIONAL NAIL LACQUER:OVER 300 FASHION COLORS TO CHOOSE FROM!!!
TIP: Extend each coat of nail color over the nails free edge to provide additional color protection
4. Apply one thin coat of ZOYA ARMOR TOPCOAT:ZOYA ARMOR TOPCOAT/UV BLOCK is a brilliant, ultra-strong (chip-free) and glossy topcoat that provides a flexible coating for nail color. UV inhibiting formula prevents yellowing and fading.
TIP: Extend topcoat over the nails free edge to provide additional color protection.
5. Apply one drop of ZOYA Fast Drops SPEED DRY DROPS to base of each nail - tilt hand and allow to spread over the nail:ZOYA HURRY UP SPEED DRY DROPS prevent bubbling and sets polish in just 5 minutes. Camilla oil provides UV protection, cuticle conditioning and brilliant shine.
TIP: Avoid mixing brands - The ZOYA Fast Drops is designed to work together as a system for optimal results. Nail color shrinkage occurs when products dry at different rates.
All nails are not created equal. In future posts we will discuss common nail color application issues and solutions. Feel free to send your questions to us.
Hello Gorgeous!!! Just in time for Summer, 2008 Zoya Professional Nail Lacquer presents a totally pretty, utterly hip metallic white called Gaia. Gorgeous with a tan or against translucent pale skin. It's subtle fleck of gold makes it the most wearable white ever. Not chalky or steaky at all. A must have for the season.
Last night was another late start on the manicure front, so another simple design. But it’s bright and quite striking, I think…of course it would be lovely in white on a navy background, “flag style”.
The lines did take awhile, because I have to be careful trying to draw straight lines on my curvy nails. But they turned out pretty well, I think. I should have done my toes to match.
Great nail care coverage from our Australian friends on the AU version of Good Morning America! Remember, it's Winter in Australia so they are just getting into all the gorgeous darks we've all been in love with. http://www.youtube.com/user/zoyabeauty
Find the products mentioned in the video here... Zoya Professional Nail Lacquer in Indigo and Lael.
I should have cut my nails short last week – if I keep them long too many weeks in a row, the end gets thin and they start breaking, but never at the tip. They always break below the tips of my finger, so I have to wait for the break to “grow out” before I can cut it off. Short nails would have been more convenient last week too, and not just for the serious gardening we did over the weekend (that resulted in the breakage of three nails below the fingertip line). I adore long nails, and the way mine grow it doesn’t take long, but there are times when it’s handy to have them shorter too.
In any case, I finally got around to a manicure at 10pm last night, so not a lot of creativity flowing then, but I think they still turned out pretty well, aside from the bubbles you see on my ring finger there.
What I used:
1 coat Zoya Anchor 3 coats each of Essie Cap Ferrat (the gray “mushroomy” color) and Essie Tea and Crumpets (the pale pearl pink) on every other nail. 1 coat Zoya Armour to set the stones 1 coat Zoya Armour to seal
When my fingernails break below the fingertip like that, I simply remove the old polish, cut my nails way back (to diminish the risk of pulling at the break), file the edges and buff the top smooth (especially over the break), and then re-polish with an extra coat of nail color to sort of “glue” things together until they grow out enough to cut through the break. The polishes I chose worked perfectly for this, since both needed 3 coats to get an opaque color on the nail.
Something bright and eye-catching next week, I think…
